Synthesis and characterization of silica nanoparticles and magnetite/silica/titania core shell nanocomposites

• Main Author: Kho, Sze Yun
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University Malaysia Sarawak, UNIMAS 2013
• Subjects: QD Chemistry
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/9401/1/KHO.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/9401/
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

The aims of this study were to synthesize and characterize silica based inorganic nanocomposite materials. The core shell nanocomposites prepared from magnetite, silica and titania was developed. Silica nanoparticles of different mean sizes (60 to 300 nm) were successfully prepared by varying experimental conditions, i.e. the effect of [H2O]/[TEOS] ratios, ammonia concentration, dialysis, amount of polyethylene glycol (PEO) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). Silica xerogels of tailored microstructure were obtained through mixing silica nanoparticles from different mean sizes and addition of polymeric surfactants. Magnetite/silica/titania (Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2) core shell nanocomposites of mean diameter of 140 nm and average BET specific surface area of 140 m2/g were also successfully prepared. The synthesis route used for this preparation is simple and less time consuming without the aid of any surfactant. The photocatalytic and magnetic properties of the Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2 core shell nanoparticles were evaluated.